Chapter Thirteen

Selena

A week earlier

“You’re staying in the dressing room this time. I don’t want you going all mental like before,” I tell Anna.

“What? Why? He was setting you up for a bogus story. Like, who does that?”

“Anna, I will be okay this time around. It’s with Diane Sawyer this time. She’s well-known and respected; my story will be heard, and the truth will finally be released.” I brush my hair, looking at her through the mirror.

“No, it won’t if you keep calling Violet a friend instead of your sister. Why are you protecting her? Clearly she isn’t protecting you. I know I can be a bit much, and I am working on that, but come on, Sel, you deserve better than this crap.”

“Selena, five minutes,” a man knocks on the door to remind me.

“Everything will work out fine. Trust me.”

“I trust you with my life, you know that. But some things you have to work on.” She sighs. I know where she is going with this, but seriously it’s like the pot calling the kettle black right now. After all, she talked about her sex life on live television.

“Then hush up and watch me make this right again. Karina already wants me to can you for that stunt.” I’ve been told on more than one occasion to can Anna. Karina even threatened to get rid of me if I didn’t get rid of Anna. I let Karina know Anna and I are a package deal; she wasn’t so happy about it. However, she didn’t want to get rid of me as much as she said she did.

“Noted. I just hope everything works out for you. I did something that might make this right, but then again it will probably backfire. I am always screwing up. Sorry, Sel.” She leans back on the couch, closing her eyes. I know this is hard for her too. She is like my protector, the sister I always needed, but at times she doesn’t think before she speaks or does things, and it always has the same outcome…more drama.

I try to cheer her up. “Look, after the show, we will go out for ice cream or something. We are going to get through this…we aren’t just boss and assistant. You are my best friend—a sister to me.” A look of uncertainty plasters across her face. “I will see you in an hour.” I pat her knee and exit the room.

The interview is going great. I feel like I have gotten everything off my chest, but the elephant in the room still hasn’t been addressed. Terminating the pregnancy. I knew that was going to be the last thing we talked about because Diane said she wanted to end on a powerful note.

“So, I know the world still wants to know about the pregnancy, in your earlier years. But first I would like to introduce our special guest.”

I hear the audience clapping, and then I look to my right. Violet is heading on stage. This can’t be happening. I pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. This can’t be real. I stand up to hug her. Has she come to make me look like a liar once again?

“Violet, what are you doing here?” I whisper in her ear.

“I have to make this right,” she whispers back, then takes a seat on the couch.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Selena’s older sister, Violet. So, Violet, tell us why you are here.”

It is like I am having an out of body experience. Violet is here to tell the truth. She is coming clean and clearing my name. I want to say something, anything, but nothing comes out. I just stare at my sister. I can see her mouth moving, but her words aren’t hitting my ears. All I can hear is my heart pounding hard.

She came.

I see a tear roll down her cheek, and then it’s like I am back in my body, reaching over to wipe it away. Like she did for me when I came crying to her about my breakup. I started to see my sister in a new light. She cared. That or she wanted to be in the spotlight. You never really know what’s going on in Violet’s head.

“Selena, you are the best sister anyone can ask for. I know I haven’t told you this since we were little, but I honestly love you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you. I am so sorry for what I put you through.”

“It’s ok. We all make mistakes, right? We’re only human.”

“I don’t know how I can ever repay you for all the things you have done for me. I told Mom and Dad the truth when your first interview came on. After everything you were faced with, you didn’t rat me out. You referred to me as a friend, that was when I knew you were too pure and kind-hearted to go through this. I am truly sorry.”

I’ve never seen this side of Violet before, so vulnerable and raw. I pull her into a hug. I didn’t know she was capable of such feelings until now. She was actually human and not the alien I thought she was.

“You are forgiven.” I rub her back slowly. “This is all I ever wanted, my sister.”

The rest of the interview goes smoothly and I feel relieved in a sense. My sister came clean, and I am now in a better place. Things are going to go back to normal. The blogs will leave me alone, and I can move on with new gigs and sponsors. Focusing more on the roles I really want to do.

We exit the stage, and I invite Violet back to my dressing room, but she has to fly back home to finish packing her things. Jackson broke up with her when she came clean with him. Apparently, he had his suspicions about that time. He always thought she had cheated, but never had proof until now.

I want to feel sorry for her, but a part of me can’t do it. My name got dragged through hell and back because she never came clean weeks ago. My relationship with my parents is now rocky because of her. Yet, I do feel bad for her. Now her whole world is turned upside down. I wonder if she has a place to stay or is she going back to our parents’ house.

“Hey, when you see Anna can you tell her thank you?” Violet asks.

“Why?”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“No? Tell me what?” Please don’t say she did something that would get her fired.

“She talked some sense into me. She made me see how I was hurting you, and that I wasn’t being the sister you needed. She told me I only cared about myself, and then she gave me a colorful earful. She also threatened to come back to Kansas City and kick my ass. She really had me thinking. Hold on to that one, she might be a wild firecracker, but she has your best interests at heart more than anyone—me, Mom, and Dad included. I hate to say this, but she is more of a sister than I have ever been to you. Look, I got to go. Maybe when you are back in Missouri we can have a drink.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

I say goodbye and head straight to my dressing room with a pep in my step. Anna is my ride or die, and I can’t wait to shower her with wet kisses.

“Anna banana!” I burst into the room. “Anna?” I look around the room, she isn’t here. I knock on the bathroom door and nothing. I open the door to find it empty. “Anna, you can come out now, this isn’t funny.” I turn around to face the room. “This is so childish of you.”

My phone vibrates on the vanity. I pick it up and there is a folded piece of paper with my name on it in Anna’s handwriting. What the hell is she playing at?

I open it.

Hey Sel,

I am so happy everything has worked out for you. That is all I’ve wanted for you since the day you hired me as your assistant. Over time we grew to be friends then best friends, and I couldn’t wish for anyone better to work with. You are the sister I never had but always wanted. I think over the past year I have caused more problems than diffusing them.

I know the past couple of days I have been MIA, well that was because I was working with Karina to find you a new assistant, one suited to take over for me. One who will do her job professionally and not create more problems for you and the rest of the team. After the whole Jay stunt, I knew it was my time to leave. I tried to help but screwed things up even more. So, I made things right. I reached out to Vi and threatened to beat her ass if she didn’t do the right thing…I guess she heard me loud and clear.

I guess you know what this all means now. I’m gone. It hurts like hell to walk away from this job and you, but it has to be done. You are on top of every big producer’s and director’s list, and having me as an assistant isn’t going to help. I am bound to screw up again. With everything that is going on in the blogs with you, I have to take a step back and let you get back in your zone.

This is just a minor setback, ok? Don’t be mad at me. I am going to come back to you. I’m your best friend for crying out loud, but I’m afraid of making more mistakes that might cost you your career, and I can't live with that. Just remember I love you, Selena, and I am doing what is best for you.

Xoxo,

Anna motherfucking Banana

No, this can’t be real. I finally look at my phone; I see Caleb texted me, but I need Anna. She can’t just leave me like this. I click her name and the phone rings in the room. I look in the mirror above the table and turn around, her work phone is there—scratch that—her only phone was there. She got rid of her personal cell phone a long time ago since she was given the work phone.

The phone slips out my hand, and then it happens. I felt the same pain I did five years ago when I walked away from Caleb. She’s gone, like really gone.

If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.